Category: Research

In the latest issue of The Barker (July/August 2004) Dr. Linda J.M. Tintle published an update on Familial Shar-Pei Fever and amyloidosis research. The major points of the update are as follows: 1. Daniel L. Kastner, M.D., PhD., Chief, Genetics and Genomics Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland will be investigating the genetics of FSF. As part of this project the first planned studies involve examining the DNA of Shar-Pei crosses (mixed breed Shar-Pei dogs). Anyone who owns a Shar-Pei mix is asked to participate...

I received information about a recently funded study to be done into the immunopathology of Familial Shar-Pei Fever/Amyloidosis in the Shar-Pei by Dr. Anne Avery at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Colorado State University. Acute phase cytokines IL-1b, TNFa, IL-6 and IL-10, and the acute phase proteins C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A will be measured. The goals of the study will be to develop a specific biological test for identifying individuals susceptible to FSF and to aid in the diagnosis of FSF. A second goal will be to study the immune system function of Shar-Pei dogs. This will better...

Kerstin Lindblad-Toh, PhD, Broad Institute at MIT and Harvard and Cheryl London, DVM, PhD, Ohio State University are conducting a study on mapping genes associated with canine mast cell tumors. They will be collecting DNA samples of dogs affected with mast cell tumors and older healthy controls (preferably over 8 years of age) from Shar-Pei. Shar-Pei have about a 5-fold increased risk for mast cell cancer and the study hopes to get samples from 100 affected dogs and 100 unaffected dogs. More information, consent forms, sample submission, etc. can be found at www.broad.mit.edu/mammals/dog/sending_samples.html. The costs of sample collection and shipping would...

Drs. Francesca Puppo, Elaine Remmers and Dan Kastner at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have asked me to put out another request for samples. We need the owners of dogs that are 12 years of age or older and that have NO history of (or even suspicion of) Familial Shar-Pei Fever (FSF) events or Amyloidosis (i.e. no signs of kidney or liver problems) AND preferably dogs with no known immediate relatives with signs of either FSF or Amyloidosis (parents, siblings or offspring) to send 2 ml of EDTA whole blood to the NIH. As you all well know, the...

The University of California-Davis has an ongoing study to map the Chinese Shar-Pei genome headed by Dr. Neff. This is a FREE study and requires the cheek swabs from several hundred dogs. Their goal is to study the genetics of “breed-defining traits” in the Shar-Pei and through this to gain more information on the etiology of Familial Shar-Pei Fever. Below is the link to order the free cheek swab kits (4 cheek swabs per dog). You will be provided with directions and forms as well as a FedEx mailing number to use for the return post. Follow the directions and...

As part of our CSP Charitable Trust-AKC/CHF funded study, Dr. Anne Avery is looking for blood samples from dogs with FSF (Familial Shar-Pei Fever) at the time they are spiking a fever. Please have your veterinarian obtain 6-10 ml of EDTA whole blood (lavender top tube) and the serum from 3-5 ml blood (red top or serum separator tube) and contact Dr. Avery at (970) 491-1170 to arrange overnight shipment of the samples to: Dr. Anne Avery, Dept. of MIP, 1619 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1619 by overnight express. You will need to provide a signed consent form, the...

Dr. Jorg Steiner and Dr. David Williams who head the Gastrointestinal Laboratory at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A & M University have started a research project to identify a genetic marker for cobalamin (Vitamin B12) deficiency in the Chinese Shar-Pei. As a starting point they will need several multigenerational pedigrees (at least 3 generations) in which some family members have cobalamin deficiency. Once the pedigrees are identified then blood samples will be collected from affected dogs and normal littermates, etc. Of course, all information provided by the breeder and dog owners would be strictly confidential. If you can...